‘The Egyptian Zombie’ targets big win at Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship

ABU DHABI: The Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship (ADXC1) is set to kick off its first edition on Friday night at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, with Egyptian mixed martial arts champion Islam Reda looking for a big win against strong opponent Abdul Karim Al-Selwadi of Palestine.

Known as “The Egyptian Zombie,” Reda is one of the most prominent figures in his country’s MMA scene.

With a black belt in jiu-jitsu, he currently holds the No. 1 ranking in Egypt’s featherweight division (66 kilograms) for MMA. He has competed in several international tournaments against world-ranked opponents and boasts a professional record of nine wins and just one loss. And he is the youngest Egyptian athlete to attain a black belt in jiu-jitsu.

At ADXC1, Reda will face Al-Selwadi in the middleweight competition.

His journey in MMA began more than a decade ago when he participated in local tournaments that offered incentive prizes to winners. Within a year-and-a-half, he made his debut in an official tournament, making a name for himself in Egypt, while simultaneously excelling in the sport of jiu-jitsu.

He said: “I’ve been fascinated by martial arts since my youth, which led me to explore the world of mixed martial arts. I quickly realized its personal benefits, enhancing my self-confidence, self-esteem, and interpersonal skills.”

Reda noted his gratitude to the UAE for its continued support of combat sports in the region.

“I’m delighted to come to Abu Dhabi and compete in the combat sports capital of the world. The UAE’s commitment to all combat sports, especially jiu-jitsu, offers athletes in the region the opportunity to partake in professional and world-class tournaments.

“Abu Dhabi Extreme is unique in adopting new rules and